IRVINE, Calif. – Vanguard opened the Golden State Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament with a 10-0 victory against Arizona Christian behind dominant performances from Justin Graves (JR/Irvine, CA) and Joe Johnson (SR/Medford, OR).

Graves led the third-seeded Lions on the mound, shutting down the Firestorm over seven one-hit scoreless innings and tying his career high with 14 strikeouts. Johnson hit a pair of home runs, including one of the inside-the-park variety, and recorded five RBI. It was Johnson's sixth career multi-HR contest, and he extended his hitting streak to eight games.

What Happened?: The Lions earned their fifth shutout win of the season as Graves put forth a masterful performance, striking out 14 of the 26 batters he faced. The southpaw notched his sixth career double-digit strikeout start. He recorded at least one strikeout in every inning, and allowed his only hit on a leadoff single in the fourth.

The Lions provided more than enough run support for Graves, who improved to 10-2 on the year and tied Hope International's Hector Garcia for the league lead in wins.

Johnson gave VU a 1-0 lead with a towering shot to right to lead off the second. ACU starter Eli Elliott plunked Ian McIntyre (JR/Tempe, AZ) and Isaiah Lee (SR/Santa Ana, CA) consecutively, and shortstop Elijah Weeks (SR/Murrieta, CA) collected a two-run single to put the Lions up 3-0.

VU increased the lead to 4-0 with an unearned run in the third as Tommy Rodriguez (JR/Yucaipa, CA) got on via an infield single, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and came home on an error from the ACU second baseman.

The Lion bats did not quiet down as three more runs came across in the fourth. Rodriguez brought home Matthew Land (SR/Eugene, OR) with an RBI single, and Johnson doubled deep to center to score Rodriguez and Dane Nakatsuka (JR/Laguna Niguel, CA). All of Johnson's hits went for extra bases as he finished 3-for-5.

VU scored for the fourth straight inning with a single run in the fifth as Luke Arias (JR/Spring Valley, CA) cashed in Lee with a double and an 8-0 lead.

After Kevin Miser (SR/Ridgefield, WA) led off the eighth with a single, Johnson closed out the scoring with a booming shot that went over the center fielder's head and ricocheted off the fence. Johnson raced around the bags and recorded a two-run inside-the-park home run, also scoring pinch runner Nakatsuka in the process.

For Johnson, it was his 15th home run this season, and seventh in the last 10 games.

Jesus Barreto (FR/La Mirada, CA) and Tyler Armenta (SR/Anaheim, CA) held the Firestorm to one hit over the final two innings as VU advanced to the winner's bracket in the GSAC Tournament.

Why Is It Important?: Graves became the second pitcher in VU history to record at least 100 strikeouts in a single season. He now has 103 on the year – second-most to Sean Isaac, who had 147 in 2016.

What Was Said?: "Fantastic start today for Graves," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "It was very impressive and the start we needed in this tournament."

What's Next?: Vanguard will face No. 2 seed Westmont on Tuesday at the OC Great Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m.